Dishwashing machine with automatic indicating signals

ABSTRACT

A dishwashing machine has a series of push button switches for selecting various program cycles which include a rinse-only cycle and a normal or full cycle having successive detergent wash, fresh water rinse and forced air drying periods. A light signal is energized if the rinse-only cycle is selected and the door latch is actuated during or after the completion of that cycle, to indicate to the operator that the rinse-only cycle was the last cycle to be run on the machine. The machine also includes a series of lights for successively indicating the corresponding operational periods of each cycle. When each light is energized, it remains energized when the machine is interrupted before the end of a cycle by actuating the door latch, to remind the operator that the cycle is not completed.

UllitQd States Patent [151 3,707,156 Athey et al. 1 Dec. 26, 1972 [541 DISHWASHING MACHINE WITH 3,549,294 12 1976 Kerret al ..134/58 D AUTOMATIC INDICATING SIGNALS Primary Examiner-Robert L. Bleutge Attorney-Marechal, Biebel, French & Bugg [57] ABSTRACT A dishwashing machine has a series of push button switches for selecting various program cycles which include a rinse-only cycle and a normal or full cycle having successive detergent wash, fresh water rinse and forced air drying periods. A light signal is energized if the rinse-only cycle is selected and the door latch is actuated during or after the completion of that cycle, to indicate to the operator that the rinse-only cycle was the last cycle to be run on the machine. The machine also includes a series of lights for successively indicating the corresponding operational periods of each cycle. When each light is energized, it remains energized when the machine is interrupted before the end of a cycle by actuating the door latch, to remind the operator that the cycle is not completed.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED [1522s 1972 SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENTORS STUART E.ATHEY 8| PAUL B. GEIGER A TTORNE' Y5 PATENTED [15325 I97? I 3,707,156

SHEET 2 IIF 2 FIG 3 PROGRAM SELECTOR SWITCH CYCLE CONTACTS CLOSED FULL CYCLE AIUPPER) CF SOAK-HEAVY BOIL A (UPPER) co SANI-CYCLE A'(UPPER) F RINSE ONLY A (UPPER) BCE LIGHT SOIL A(uPPER) cE PLATE WARM A(UPPER) CH CANCEL DRAIN A (UPPER)CEHIJ RESET A (LOWER) c RR as (ALSO g IF RmsE 0NLY HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SELECTED.)

FIG-4 TIME CYCLE CHART 0 IO 2O 3O 4O 5O 6O DRAIN PREWASH LIGHT RINSE LIGHT FILL AIR HEATER WASH LIGHT DRY LIGHT RINSE DISPENSER WATER HEAT TIMER ADVANCE PLATE WARM TIMER ADVANCE LIGHT SOIL TIMER MOTOR SANITIZE TIMER ADVANCE FULL CYCLE TSTAT BY-PASS PUMP TIMER ADVANCE RINSE HOLD DETERGENT CUP. I DETERGENT CUP. 2 RESET CYCLE INDICATES DISHWASHING MACHINE WITH AUTOMATIC INDICATING SIGNALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic dishwashing machine of the general type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,549,294 which issued to the assignee of the present invention. In such a dishwashing machine, it is common to provide a control system which includes a motor driven timer for automatically controlling the controlled by cam operated timer switches which various electrically actuated components of the machine. The timer may also be programmed to provide different cycles of operation which can be selected by pressing a corresponding push button switch on the control panel. Preferably, one of the cycles is a rinseonly cycle which has been found desirable for rinsing a partial load of soiled dishes and other articles, thereby to prevent food soil from drying on the articles during time elapsed to add additional soiled articles to the machine for completing a load. A normal or full cycle is also provided and is commonly selected after a load is completed. The full cycle provides a series of operational periods including at least a main detergent wash period, and one or more fresh water rinse periods followed by a dry period.

As a result of an effective recirculating wash system, and lightly soiled articles, it may be difficult to determine at the end of a rinse-only cycle whether or not the articles have been through merely a rinse-only cycle or through a full cycle. Thus occasionally articles which have been only rinsed during a rinse-only cycle, are removed from the dishwashing machine and are used or returned to the storage cabinet under the impression that the articles have been subjected to a full cycle treatment.

It is desirable for the dishwashing machine to provide some indication of the progression of any selected cycle. This indication may conveniently be provided by a series of small neon lights which are displayed on the control panel and which correspond to the different operational periods of the various cycles. Frequently, it is desirable to interrupt a selected cycle, as for example, to add a forgotten soiled dish. The interruption is produced by releasing the door latch which actuates an interlock switch for deenergizing the electrical control system of the dishwashing machine.

If the operator does not immediately resume the operation of the cycle by again depressing the push button corresponding to the previously selected cycle, it is possible for the operator to forget that the cycle was interrupted and to assume that the articles have been through a normal or full cycle and are ready to be removed from the dishwashing machine. Thus when either a rinse-only cycle is selected or a full cycle is interrupted, it is possible for the operator to forget that the soiled articles have not been through a complete washing cycle, and as a result the partially cleaned articles are removed from the dishwashing machine and are either reused or returned to a storage cabinet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an automatic dishwashing machine with an improved control system which enables the operator readily to determine the progression of a selected operating cycle, and which also continues to provide a clear indication that a cycle is interrupted or a rinse-only cycle has been previously selected, so that the operator does not inadvertently assume that partially rinsed or washed articles have been completely washed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dishwashing machine control panel is provided with a series of small neon lights which are progressively energized to indicate the corresponding phases or periods of a selected cycle. The lights are cooperate with a door latch actuated switch such that when the cycle is interrupted by releasing the door latch, the light corresponding to the period of the cycle, remains energized to provide an-indication that the cycle is not completed. In addition to the cycle indicating lights, another small neon light is located on the control panel. During the rinse-only cycle, or after it is completed, when the door latch is subsequently released to open the door of the machine, the rinseonly light is energized to provide an indication that the last cycle performed (or being performed) by the machine, was not a normal or full cycle.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a front loading dishwashing machine incorporating a control system constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic wiring diagram of the control system employed in the dishwashing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a chart showing the different cycles of the dishwashing machine and the positions of the corresponding program selector switches for producing the cycles; and

FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating the operation of the motor driven timer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a front loading automatic dishwashing machine including an outer cabinet 10 enclosing a tank 11 having a bottom 12 and defining a wash chamber 14. A door 15 provides access to the wash chamber 14 and is pivotable on a horizontal axis between a horizontal open position and a vertically closed position where the door is secured by a centrally located latch 16 constructed as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,328,062 which issued to the assignee of the present invention. The latch 16 includes a handle which is pivoted on a horizontal axis between an upper released position and a lowered locked position. A set of vertically spaced racks 17 are supported by corresponding tracks (not shown) within the chamber 14 and are movable to loading and unloading positions extending over the open door 15.

The bottom 12 of the tank 11 slopes downwardly toward the center so that water collecting thereon drains into a sump 18 in which is mounted a main recirculating pump RP driven by a motor 22 for recirculating the water through a reaction spray arm 24 over the soiled articles placed within the racks 17. A drain pump 25 is mounted directly below the sump l8 and is also driven by the motor 22. The drain pump 25 has an outlet connected to a drain line 26 having a normally closed solenoid actuated drain valve DV. A more detailed description of the wash system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,323,529 which issued to the assignee of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a program selector switch 30 is mounted within the upper portion of the door on one side of the latch 16 and includes a series of push button actuated switches A-J which provide for selecting one of the various program cycles indicated on the chart of FIG. 3. There is one button for each of the various functions or cycles available, and operating a particular button actuates a particular combination of switches as indicated. By reason of conventional mechanical interlocks (not shown) only one button can be operated at a time. Located within the cabinet 10 under the bottom 12, is a main control timer 35 having a series of cam operated switches K-W which are actuated by corresponding cams mounted on a common shaft driven by a main timer motor TM as shown in FIG. 2. The timer shaft is also connected to a timer advance motor TAM in a manner as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,I25,l05 which also issued to the assignee of the present invention.

Power is supplied to the control system through power lines L1 and L2. Line L2 is connected to one side of the program selector switches A and B through a thermal protector TP. All of the selector switches A-J, except for switch B, are cancelled or moved to open positions by conventional interlock mechanism, when the latch 16 is lifted or released to provide for opening the door 15. The top contact of program selector switch A is connected to a door interlock switch 42 which closes in response to actuation of the latch 16 to its locked position. The interlock switch 42 is connected by a line 43 to the common side of the selector switches C-H and also to the common side of a cam operated timer switch M. 7

Program selector switch C controls the power supplied to the sanitizing cycle indicating light SL as well as the power to the upper contact of cam actuated timer switch N. The bottom contact of program selector switch A is connected to the common side of cam actuated timer switch S, and the other side of program selector switch B is connected to the common side of a latch actuated switch 45 which is normally open (as shown in FIG. 2) when the latch 16 is in its closed position. The other side of the latch switch 45 is connected to control a rinse-only cycle indicating light RO which, as will be explained later, is energized any time the latch 16 is released and the rinse-only cycle has been previously selected.

The other side of program selector switch D is connected to the common sides of cam operated timer switches P, Q and R and is also connected to the bottom contacts of cam actuated timer switches T, U, V and W. The bottom contact of program selector switch A connects with the common side of cam actuated timer switch S, and the bottom contact of timer switch S is connected to the normally open contact of a single pole, double throw cycle completion latch actuated switch 50. The common side of the switch 50 controls the power to the common side of cam actuated timer switches K and L. The normally closed contact of switch 50, is connected to the upper contact of timer switch M and to the common sides of timer switches N and 0. Both of the latch actuated switches 45 and 50 are shown in FIG. 2 when the latch 16 is in its closed or locked position. it

The upper and lower contacts of timer switches K and L, are connected to a series of neon indicating lights including a wash period light WL, a dry period light DL, a prewash period light PL, and a rinse period light RL. It is apparent from FIG. 2 that the cam actuated timer switch M controls the sanitizing heater element SH, and that timer switch N controls the actuation of the motor 22 for the main recirculating pump RP. Timer switch 0 selectively controls the actuation of two detergent cups DC and DC which are mounted on the inner surface of the door 15. Timer switch P controls the solenoid for the drain valve DV, and timer switch 0 controls a rinse agent dispenser RA and a water heating element WH. Preferably, the water heating element WI-I and the sanitizing-heating element SH are combined in a dual element electrode which is mounted within the sump 18. I

Timer switch R controls the blower motor BM which is energized during the drying portion or period of some of the various cycles and which is connected in I parallel with a thermo protector switch TPI-I and an air I heating element Al-I. Timer switch R also controls the operation of a water fill valve WF located within the water supply line and which is connected in series with a pressure actuated fill control switch FC providing an overflow protector. I

Referring to the wiring diagram of FIG. 2, the cycle selector switch chart in FIG. 3 and'the time cycle chart of FIG. 4, when the normal or full cycle push button is depressed, the upper contact of switch A and switches C and F close so that the cycle of operation progresses as shown in FIG. 4, through one prerinse and a prewash wherein detergent is supplied to the washing chamber 14 by actuating the first detergent cup DC. The prewash is followed by two fresh water prerinses and then another wash period wherein detergent is supplied by actuating the second detergent cup DC. The second wash period is followed by three fresh water rinse periods and then a dry period, as shown by the time chart of FIG. 4. As the full cycle progresses through the prewash, wash, rinse and dry periods, the corresponding indicating lights PL, WL, RL, and DL are progressively energized.

If at any time during the full wash cycle, the latch 16 is released, for example, to open the door 15 for adding a forgotten soiled dish, the latch switch 50 is actuated so-that the common side of the switch 50 connects with the normally open contact which is connected. to the bottom contact of timer switch S. Also when the latch 16 is moved to its released position, program selector switch A drops from its upper contact to its lower contact as indicated by the reset operation shown in the chart of FIG. 3.

The bottom contact of switch A remains closed until the latch 16 is moved to its locked position and another push button cycle selection switch is depressed. Since the bottom contact of timer switch S remains closed during any cycle, as shown in FIG. 4, power is supplied to the common side of timer switches K and L through the latch switch 50 when the latch 16 is released. As a result, when any cycle is interrupted, the indicating light which corresponds to the period in which the interruption occurred, remains energized. Thus when the door 15 is closed, the operator will obviously note that the previously selected cycle was interrupted before its completion.

When the rinse-only push button is depressed, program selector switches B, C and E and the upper contact of switch A are closed. The closing of program selector switch B closes the circuit to the common side of the latch switch 45 which, as mentioned above, remains open as long as the latch 16 is in its closed position. As also mentioned above, program selector switch B remains closed after the latch 16 is released, and opens only when another cycle selection push button is depressed.

During the rinse-only cycle, the timer advance motor TAM is energized so that the first prerinse and prewash of the full cycle are bypassed. The soiled articles receive one rinse, and after the rinse water is drained, the timer advance motor is reenergized to bypass the remaining portion of the full cycle. Since program selector switch B remains closed when the latch 16 is released, the rinse-only indicating light R is energized through the latch switch 45 which is closed when the latch is released. Thus when the door 15 is open after the completion of, or during progress of, a rinse-only cycle, the rinse-only indicating light RO is energized and remains energized until the door is closed and the latch is moved to its locked position. As a result, the rinse-only light R0 indicates to the operator that the last operating cycle which was performed (or in progress) by the dishwashing machine, was a rinse-only cycle.

It becomes apparent from the drawings and the above description that a dishwashing machine incorporating a control and indicating system constructed in accordance with the present invention, provides desirable features and advantages. That is, the control of the rinse-only indicating light R0 and of the cycle period indicating lights SL, WL, DL, PL and RL, provides a visual warning or signal whenever a wash cycle is interrupted or when the shortened rinse-only cycle had been selected. As a result, the present invention essentially eliminates the possibility of partially cleaned articles being inadvertently treated as completely cleaned articles.

When the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. in a dishwashing machine including a tank defining a cleansing chamber having an opening, a closure for said opening movable between open and closed positions, latch means for said closure and being movable between locked and released positions, means for supporting soiled articles in said chamber, means for supplying water into said chamber, means for recirculating the water to effect a spray of water onto the articles, means for draining the water from said chamber, timer means automatically controlling said water supplying means, said recirculating means and said draining means according to a plurality of different program cycles including at least a first wash cycle wherein a plurality of successive charges of water are supplied to and drained from said chamber and a second rinse cycle wherein at least one charge of water is supplied to and drained from said chamber, and means for selecting each said cycle; the improvement comprising electrically actuated means for indicating when said second cycle has been selected, means for energizing said indicating means in response to said latch means being moved to its saidreleased position after said second cycle is initiated, and means for deenergizing said indicating means when another cycle is subsequently selected.

2. A dishwashing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said first cycle comprises a series of successive periods including a detergent wash period, a fresh water rinse period and a drying period, and said second cycle comprises only a fresh water rinse period.

3. A dishwashing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said indicating means is a light source visible adjacent said cycle selecting means.

4. A dishwashing machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said energizing means include a switch cooperating with said timer means to control said light source, and means actuating said switch in response to movement of said latch means to its released position.

5. In an automatic dishwashing machine including a tank defining a cleansing chamber having an opening, a closure for said opening and being movable between open and closed positions, a rack within said chamber for supporting articles having food soil thereon, means for supplying water into said chamber, means for recirculating water in said chamber and spraying the water onto the articles, means for draining the water from said chamber, timer means for automatically controlling said water supplying means, said recirculating means and said draining means according to a plurality of different program cycles including at least one complete wash-rinse-dry cycle and another cycle which provides only an incomplete cleansing operation, and means for selecting each said cycle; the improvement comprising electrically actuated means for indicating when said other cycle is selected, means for energizing said indicating means when said other cycle is selected and then interrupted and for continuing said energizing after said other cycle is completed and said closure is moved to its open position, and means for deenergizing said indicating means when a complete cycle is selected.

6. In an automatic dishwashing machine including a tank defining a cleansing chamber having an opening, a closure for said opening movable between open and closed positions, a latch for said closure movable between locked and released positions, rack means within said chamber for supporting articles having food soil thereon, means for supplying water into said chamber, means for recirculating water in said chamber and spraying the water onto the articles, means for draining the water from said chamber, and timer means for automatically controlling said water supplying means, said recirculating means and said draining means according to at least one program cycle including at least a detergent wash period followed by a fresh water rinse period; the improvement comprising lObOIZ (H76 electrically actuated indicating lamps showing the progress of said cycle in operation, means for energizing said indicating lamps in sequence and for continuing said energizing when said latch means is moved to said released position before said cycle is completed, and means for deenergizing all of said indicating lamps when said cycle is completed.

7. In an automatic dishwashing machine including a tank defining a cleansing chamber having an opening, a door movable between open and closed positions with respect to said opening, rack means within said chamber for supporting articles having food soil thereon, means for supplying charges of water into said chamber, means for adding a cleansing agent to selected water charges, means for recirculating the water and spraying the water onto the articles, means for draining the water from said chamber, and timer means automatically controlling said water supplying means, said recirculating means and said draining means according to at least two cycles, one a complete wash-rinse-dry cycle including at least a detergent wash drying period, and the other an incomplete rinse cleansing sequence for rinsing articles to be held in the chamber and later fully cleansed; the improvement comprising sequentially actuated indicating lamps for showing the progress of the complete cycle in operation, means connected to said timer for energizing said indicating lamps and for continuing their current state of energization when said closure is moved to its open position before the complete cycle is finished, and means for deenergizing all said indicating lamps when said complete cycle is terminated, a separate indicating lamp associated with said incomplete cycle, means connected to said timer for energizing said separate lamp whenever said rinse cycle has been started and interrupted and whenever a rinse cycle is terminated, and means for extinguishing said separate lamp when another cycle is selected after completion of a rinse cycle. 

1. In a dishwashing machine including a tank defining a cleansing chamber having an opening, a closure for said opening movable between open and closed positions, latch means for said closure and being movable between locked and released positions, means for supporting soiled articles in said chamber, means for supplying water into said chamber, means for recirculating the water to effect a spray of water onto the articles, means for draining the water from said chamber, timer means automatically controlling said water supplying means, said recirculating means and said draining means according to a plurality of different program cycles including at least a first wash cycle wherein a plurality of successive charges of water are supplied to and drained from said chamber and a second rinse cycle wherein at least one charge of water is supplied to and drained from said chamber, and means for selecting each said cycle; the improvement comprising electrically actuated means for indicating when said second cycle has been selected, means for energizing said indicating means in response to said latch means being moved to its said released position after said second cycle is initiated, and means for deenergizing said indicating means when another cycle is subsequently selected.
 2. A dishwashing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said first cycle comprises a series of successive periods including a detergent wash period, a fresh water rinse period and a drying period, and said second cycle comprises only a fresh water rinse period.
 3. A dishwashing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said indicating means is a light source visible adjacent said cycle selecting means.
 4. A dishwashing machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said energizing means include a switch cooperating with said timer means to control said light source, and means actuating said switch in response to movement of said latch means to its released position.
 5. In an automatic dishwashing machine including a tank defining a cleansing chamber having an opening, a closure for said opening and being movable between open and closed positions, a rack within said chamber for supporting articles having food soil thereon, means for supplying water into said chamber, means for recirculating water in said chamber and spraying the water onto the articles, means for draining the water from said chamber, timer means for automatically controlling said water supplying means, said recirculating means and said draining means according to a plurality of different program cycles including at least one complete wash-rinse-dry cycle and another cycle which provides only an incomplete cleansing operation, and means fOr selecting each said cycle; the improvement comprising electrically actuated means for indicating when said other cycle is selected, means for energizing said indicating means when said other cycle is selected and then interrupted and for continuing said energizing after said other cycle is completed and said closure is moved to its open position, and means for deenergizing said indicating means when a complete cycle is selected.
 6. In an automatic dishwashing machine including a tank defining a cleansing chamber having an opening, a closure for said opening movable between open and closed positions, a latch for said closure movable between locked and released positions, rack means within said chamber for supporting articles having food soil thereon, means for supplying water into said chamber, means for recirculating water in said chamber and spraying the water onto the articles, means for draining the water from said chamber, and timer means for automatically controlling said water supplying means, said recirculating means and said draining means according to at least one program cycle including at least a detergent wash period followed by a fresh water rinse period; the improvement comprising electrically actuated indicating lamps showing the progress of said cycle in operation, means for energizing said indicating lamps in sequence and for continuing said energizing when said latch means is moved to said released position before said cycle is completed, and means for deenergizing all of said indicating lamps when said cycle is completed.
 7. In an automatic dishwashing machine including a tank defining a cleansing chamber having an opening, a door movable between open and closed positions with respect to said opening, rack means within said chamber for supporting articles having food soil thereon, means for supplying charges of water into said chamber, means for adding a cleansing agent to selected water charges, means for recirculating the water and spraying the water onto the articles, means for draining the water from said chamber, and timer means automatically controlling said water supplying means, said recirculating means and said draining means according to at least two cycles, one a complete wash-rinse-dry cycle including at least a detergent wash period followed by a fresh water rinse period and then a drying period, and the other an incomplete rinse cleansing sequence for rinsing articles to be held in the chamber and later fully cleansed; the improvement comprising sequentially actuated indicating lamps for showing the progress of the complete cycle in operation, means connected to said timer for energizing said indicating lamps and for continuing their current state of energization when said closure is moved to its open position before the complete cycle is finished, and means for deenergizing all said indicating lamps when said complete cycle is terminated, a separate indicating lamp associated with said incomplete cycle, means connected to said timer for energizing said separate lamp whenever said rinse cycle has been started and interrupted and whenever a rinse cycle is terminated, and means for extinguishing said separate lamp when another cycle is selected after completion of a rinse cycle. 